Lovely Links: 1/30/15

I gave myself a crick in the neck nodding emphatically while reading this piece about how short-sighted it is to encourage women to ignore their bodies completely and focus solely on accomplishments, personality, and intelligence. A favorite quote: “Most of the feminism that I’ve run into does tend to bifurcate mind and body in a way that seems unhelpful. You’re supposed to appreciate your body for the things it does for you, rather than realizing that in a very real way your body is you and that all the things your body does are things that you do.” SO IMPORTANT.

I got a sample of this Hourglass Liquid Lipstick a few months back, and just ponied up for a full-size tube. It is POTENT, so I dab on a couple of drops and then blend. It has better staying power than any lip stain I’ve encountered thus far.

In a recent interview about her childhood and her Image Award-nominated show ‘black-ish,’ Tracee Ellis Ross said, “Women are asked to put forward, to a certain extent, a mask. And for black women, that has taken on greater significance, because the standard of beauty has not necessarily had the space for different definitions of beauty. I’m trying to find my own version of what makes me feel beautiful. On ‘black-ish,’ there’s a lot that has to be done working around my hair, in terms of scheduling.”

A new group that formed to provide a place for young girls of color to connect and support each other, Oakland’s Radical Brownies earn “Radical Beauty” and “LGBT Ally” badges, study how Disney princesses define girls’ image of beauty, and talk about how that can affect self-image.

“Some feminist scholars refuse to portray naked female bodies, arguing that the sexualization and objectification of those bodies is inevitable. Others continue to experiment, searching for unique representational strategies. I, for one, insist that it is possible to resignify the naked female body, starting with my own body.” (Not safe for work viewing, art and photographic nudes)

The concept behind The Ugly Ducklings is intriguing. Feeling confident, valued, and understood is challenging for young women, as is remembering that your journey is what shapes you. A little fuzzy on what the organization is actually DOING, though. Anyone else heard of it?